Otto the Orange fist bumps a fan at the men's basketball game versus Colgate. Photo by Riley Bunch

Oshae Brissett shot 7 of 12 from the field and 5 of 7 from the line to score 20 points on the afternoon. Combined with five rebounds, two assists, a block, and a steal in 40 minutes of playing time, the freshman forward did what he could to see Syracuse (8-1) beat Colgate (3-6) Saturday at the Carrier Dome.

Guards Tyus Battle and Frank Howard wouldn’t be outdone, scoring 24 and 18 points, respectively. The three players combined to score 62 of Syracuse’s 72 on the afternoon.

Colgate’s strategy was to shoot beyond the arc. The visiting Raiders shot 51 times, 35 of them from three-point range. The leader was freshman guard Jack Ferguson, who knocked down six of his twelve long-range shots. Ferguson did not attempt a two-point shot in the entire game. Combined with 2 of 3 free throw shooting, he led the Raiders with 20 points in 28 minutes on the court.

“The thing you have to remember…[Colgate] shot four free throws,” Syracuse head coach Jim Boeheim said following the victory. “[Colgate’s] only focus was shooting threes…if people are just gonna try to get a three, and they’re gonna take the whole possession…we usually beat those teams.”

Photo by Riley Bunch

Marek Dolezaj played 35 minutes in the game, and fared well in defensive categories, grabbing six boards, three steals, as well as five assists, but only scored two points. He shot 1/2 from the field and missed the only free throw attempt he was awarded.

Coach Boeheim says Dolezaj is one of the few players that doesn’t need to score consistently because he’s of his defensive talents and his ability to make winning plays.

“I want to be a scorer, but it’s not my job on the team”, Dolezaj said after the game. Battle, Howard, Washington…they can score a lot of points. I try to do other jobs. I try to rebound, [get] steals, assists, and find the open court [to get free throws].”

Howard Washington only played five minutes in the game and only attempted one shot, but it was an important one. The guard nailed a three-pointer with 4:22 remaining in the first half to put Syracuse up 31-20. Coach Boeheim said he doesn’t feel comfortable playing three guards at the same time, as he believes the team isn’t as good defensively. With Howard and Battle playing the entire game for the Orange, Washington was the odd-man out this afternoon.

With the Orange traveling to Georgetown to face the Hoyas (8-0) next Saturday at 12:30 PM, Oshae Brissett was asked about the rivalry and what he felt about being a part of the rivalry. Brissett seems ready for the challenge.

“[Georgetown] has a Hall of Fame coach, they’re gonna be smart, and it’s gonna be amazing to play in such a rivalry. We haven’t really went over [Georgetown’s] stuff but I’m excited for it,” Brissett said following the game.

“I have a good friend on that team [freshman guard Jahvon Blair], and we’re gonna win and I’m gonna talk to him about that,” Brissett said smiling from ear to ear.